Research

Founded in 1984, Ciconia was the first private fertility clinic. We have always been aware of the need for research, development and education in the field. Development within the field of fertility treatment has always been important for Ciconia, and we were the first to achieve results in egg donation, the freezing of fertilised eggs, surgical extraction of sperm cells and probably also in micro-insemination.

In addition, Ciconia was the first clinic in Denmark to grow human embryonic stem cells, which have been used in 2 research projects which have been approved by the Research Ethics Committee and were carried out in collaboration with the Research Department of the Regional Hospital in Horsens and the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory of Aarhus University Hospital.

The titles of the 2 research projects were: “In vitro derivation of male germ cells from human embryonic stem cells” and “Development of individualised bone graft substitutes using human stem cells and functionalising biomaterials”. These projects have resulted in several publications in international journals.

In the training and development fields, 2 doctorates and two masters’ theses have been written at Ciconia.

At the clinic, we have participated in numerous studies and are always conducting new and innovative projects. As a patient at the clinic, you may be asked whether you wish to participate in a study. Participation in a study is always on a voluntary basis, and you can always decline to participate or withdraw at any time during the study, without it affecting your future treatment in any way.

The aim of our research is to:

Improve your chances of becoming pregnant

Contribute to the continued development of better, more effective and safer treatment

Ensure that our treatment is “patient-friendly”

You will be given written and verbal information before agreeing to participate in a research project. We likewise recommend that you read the publication by the Research Ethics Committee: Read it here

Current projects

Nursing project:

The clinic is currently participating in a project that is investigating the user-friendliness of the three FSH pens, Gonal-f, Puregon and Bemfola. You will be asked to fill out a 5 minute questionnaire. The study will in no way affect your treatment or your chances of getting pregnant. Participation is, of course, on a voluntary basis.

Laboratory/embryoscope project:

The aim of this study is to describe how fertilised eggs develop, and to examine whether specific patterns of development may be associated with a higher chance of the egg attaching itself to the uterus and an increased chance of women who participate in IVF and ICSI treatment becoming pregnant. The development of the fertilised eggs will be followed closely to examine whether pre-defined development patterns can help us choose the best egg.